Elastomeric buffer mounting assembly

ABSTRACT

An improved bumper assembly for use on a rigid structure including an elongated resilient bumper member having a longitudinally extending bore in at least the top portion thereof and preferably of a D-shaped cross-sectional configuration, a mounting clip for the bumper member which is attached to the structure having retaining means attached to its lower end portion to hold the bottom portion of the bumper and removable attaching elements in engagement with the bumper member to hold its top portion. The removable elements make it possible for the bumper to be installed in or removed from the bumper assembly without distortion or bending. The invention is particularly useful in providing means to absorb the impact of a moving vehicle, such as a truck, ship, or crane, as contact is made with a rigid structure.

United States Patent [72] inventor William F. Culp v Cuyahoga Falls,Ohio [2]] Appl. No. 851,626

[22] Filed (45] Patented [73] Assignee Aug. 20, 1969 Sept. 28, 1971 TheGoodyear Tire & Rubber Company Akron, Ohio [54] ELASTOMERIC BUFFERMOUNTING ASSEMBLY 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 267/140, 61/48, 248/224, 293/64, 293/71 [51] int. Cl ..B60r19/08, E02b 3/22, Fl6f 1/36 [50] Field of Search 61/48;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,240,301 9/1917 Bower248/224 X 1,617,280 2/1927 Viggiano 248/224 X 2,251,347 8/1941 Williamset a1. 267/140X 2,723,704 11/1955 Burden 248/224 X 3,197,189 7/1965Pemper et al 267/140 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point AssistantExaminer-Howard Beltran Attorneys-F. W. Brunner and Ronald P. YaistABSTRACT: An improved bumper assembly for use on a rigid structureincluding an elongated resilient bumper member having a longitudinallyextending bore in at least the top portion thereof and preferably ofaD-shaped cross-sectional configuration, a mounting clip for the bumpermember which is attached to the structure having retaining meansattached to its lower end portion to hold the bottom portion of thebumper and removable attaching elements in engagement with the bumpermember to hold its top portion. The removable elements make it possiblefor the bumper to be installed in or removed from the bumper assemblywithout distortion or bending. The invention is particularly useful inproviding means to absorb the impact of a moving vehicle, such as atruck, ship, or crane, as contact is made with a rigid structure.

PATENTED SEP28 I9?! 3508.882

sum 1 or 3 INVENTOR. WILLIIAM F. GULF WWW ATTORNEY vmmcnsaveslsn ismsazSHEET 2 OF 3 HIIJLUMMHMM WHEY INVENTOR.

WIILLHAM F CULP PATENIEI] SEP28 1971 SHEET 3 BF 3 FIG. 6

INVENTOIL WILLIAM F. CULP r wrakwv ATTORNEY ELASTOMERIC BUFFER MOUNTINGASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to resilientbumper assemblies and more specifically to improved bumper assembliesfor use on substantially rigid or unyielding structures to absorb shockto which such structures are subjected by outside forces. The bumperassemblies of this invention are particularly useful for this purpose onstructures, such as docks, overhead cranes, and the like.

Bumpers, sometimes referred to as dock fenders, are commonly used toabsorb shock on loading docks caused by the impact of trucks, ships, andthe like, against the face of the dock. They normally include a mountingmeans, such as a plate of steel or cast iron for attachment to thestructure being protected and an elongated bumper member of resilientmaterial, such as natural or synthetic rubber or flexible plastic, whichis contacted directly by a vehicle or vessel rather than the structureitself.

The resilient bumper members have taken various forms but usuallyinclude a bore or opening extending longitudinally of the member fromend to end with the hollow form thereby providing maximum give onimpact. One widely used bumper configuration is the D section in whichone side of the members is substantially flat or planar to bear againstthe mounting plate, and the other side is rounded or curvilinear inshape to provide ready compressibility upon impact and prevent damage tothe bumper from impacts which are not in a normal or perpendiculardirection to the mounting plate.

In order to install the bumper devices it has been the usual practice toprovide holes in the bumper member and secure the member to thestructure being protected by means of bolts or like fastening elements.For example, in the D-shaped members, the procedure has been to drillclearance holes in the rounded side of the member and boltholes in theflat side of the member and subsequently to insert a predrilled metalplate in the bore or opening and bolting the member to the structureusing the metal plate to hold the bolt shoulder. This procedure has theeffect of reducing the service life of the resilient bumper member notonly because of the obvious damage to the bumper it causes but alsobecause it presents a location on the bumper from which subsequentfailure or deterioration is likely to originate. In addition, thisprocedure also is costly when the bumpers are being replaced because ofthe interference with work activities in the loading areas.

Needless to say, it is desirable to provide a bumper assembly in whichfastening elements are not inserted through the resilient material ofthe bumper member. Pemper et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,189 discloses sucha structure. In the preferred form of this invention spaced angularclamping or retaining members are shown as an integral part of themounting plate at spaced distances apart. Accordingly, the bumper membermust be bent or distorted in order to be mounted thereon or removedtherefrom. Another form of the invention shows an adjustable mountingplate to accommodate various length bumper members but this structure isobviously costly to manufacture and subject to corrosion which wouldprevent its adjustable parts from moving, thus interfering with itsoperation.

The present invention of the character to be described overcomes thedisadvantages of the prior art by providing a simple, economical bumperassembly useful for imparting impact resistance to such structures asloading docks or as a stop for an overhead crane.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present inventionto provide a bumper assembly for protecting a rigid structure which isboth simple and economical and one in which replacement of the resilientbumper member can be accomplished in the minimum of time and with theminimum of interference with work activities.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bumper assemblywhich requires no fastening elements to be inserted through theresilient bumper member and one in which it is not required that theresilient bumper member be bent or distorted during installation orremovai from the assembly.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an bumperassembly for a vehicle or vessel dock which can be installed in aminimum amount of time at minimum cost.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved bumperassembly to act as a. stop for an overhead crane which can be installedin a minimum amount of time at minimum cost.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparenthereinafter as the description thereof proceeds, the novel features,arrangements and combinations being clearly pointed out in thespecification as well as the claims thereunto appended.

It has been found that the foregoing objects and advantages areaccomplished by an improved bumper assembly, comprising: (A) a mountingmember having at least a portion of a first face attached to a structureand a second face opposite to the first face having retaining meansattached to the lower end portion of the mounting member, (8) at leastone elongated resilient bumper member having (l) a top portioncontaining a longitudinally extending bore therein, (2) a bottom portionresting against and supported by the retaining means, and (3 a middleportion between the top and bottom end portions with one side restingagainst the second face of the mounting member and the other side of theportion exposed for contact with the forces to which the structure issubjected, and (C) at least one removable attaching element having onesection extending downwardly into the bore of the bumper member inengagement therewith and another section in removable engagement withthe mounting member so as to secure the top portion of the bumpermember. The attaching element and the retaining means coact to hold theresilient bumper member in place against the mounting member. Since theattaching element is removable it provides means by which the bumpermember may be removed or inserted easily in the assembly without thenecessity of its being bent or distorted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bumper assembly of this inventionas mounted on a dock installation with parts broken away to moreadequately indicate the inventive features;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the invention shown in FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the removable attachingclip of this invention;

FIG. 41 is a front elevational view of the mounting plate of the bumperassembly of this invention shown with the resilient bumper memberremoved FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the mounting plate shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of the bumper assembly of thisinvention showing another application therefor; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the bumper assembly shown in FIG.6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2show the bumper assembly 10 of this invention which in this instance, isbeing employed to provide means to absorb the impact of trucks against aloading clock 11 typically formed of concrete or the like rigid orunyieldable material. The bumper assembly 10 in general includes anelongated resilient bumper member 12 and a mounting member 13 thereforin the: form of a large angular metal plate or angle iron. The mountingplate 13 has retaining means in the form of an angular retaining clip 14attached to the lower portion of the plate 13 which holds the bottom ofthe bumper member I2 in position and preferably also includes tubularelements fixed to the upper portion of the mounting plate 13 on eachside of the bumper member 12. Removable attaching elements 16 hold thetop of the bumper member 12 firmly in place in a manner that will behereinafter described.

The bumper member 12 is normally an extruded length of resilientelastomeric material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, or rubberlike material. The bumper 12 is an integral structure which includes atop portion 17 and a bottom portion 18 with a middle portion 19therebetween. The bottom portion 18 of the bumper l2 rests against andis supported by the retaining clip 14. The bumper 12 also includes alongitudinally extending opening or bore 20 which preferably extendstherethrough from end to end. The bumper 12 has one substantially planaror flat side 21 which rests against the mounting plate 13 with theopposite side 22 being curved or rounded facing outwardly to engage theend of the truck vehicle as it is moved into position against the dock11 for loading or unloading. In the particular structure illustrated,the bumper 12 is D- shaped in cross section but it should be recognizedthat other cross-sectional configurations may be used if desired.

The top portion 17 of the bumper 12 is firmly held by removableattaching clips 16 which in the form illustrated are generally U-shapedwith one leg 23 extending into the bore 20 of the bumper l2 and theother leg 24 inserted in the tubular element 15 on the mounting plate13. Preferably, the span between the legs 23 and 24 of each attachingclip 16 is such that it snugly engages the bumper 12 and each tubularelement 15 when in position. However, it is also possible that arelatively loose engagement be maintained between the clips 16 and thebumper 12 and element 15 depending upon the amount and location of theimpact from the vehicle or vessel For example, if the impact occurs at alocation in the middle 19 or bottom portion 18 of the bumper 12 only aloose engagement is necessary. FIG. 3 shows the attaching clip 16 whenremoved from the assembly 10.

In the specific structure of the mounting member or plate 13 mostclearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one face 25 of the angular mountingplate 13 is attached to the dock 11 by any suitable means well known inthe art, such as by bolting. An opposite face 26 of the mounting plate13 is provided with a fixed retaining means in the form of an angularretaining clip 14. The clip 14 has one portion 27 which, for example, iswelded to the lower portion of the plate 13 and a second portion 28extending upwardly substantially parallel to and spaced from the face 26of the plate 13 to engage a portion of the surface of the interior ofthe bore 20 of the bumper l2. Hollow tubular elements in the form ofmetal pipes or tubes 15 are fixed to the plate 13 adjacent the area 29which is occupied by the bumper 12 in the complete assembly 10.

In the normal practice of this invention a plurality of the bumperassemblies 10 are positioned at spaced intervals along the face of thedock structure 11 to provide shock resistance therefor. It is alsopossible to position the bumper assemblies of this invention directlyonto the truck or other vehicle if desired. In addition, the bumpermembers 12 may be positioned vertically, horizontally, or angularly onthe mounting plate 13 depending upon the particular application.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show another application for the bumper assembly of thisinvention. In this case two such bumper assemblies 30 and 30' againincludes an integral resilient bumper member 32 and 32' respectively, ofa generally D-shaped cross section having, respectively, a top portion33 and 33, a bottom portion 34 and 34", a middle portion 35 and 35'therebetween, and a bore 36 and 36' extending from end to end.

The bumper members 30 and 30' include substantially planar sides 37 and37' which rests against a mounting member or plate 38 which in thisinstance is a frame member of the crane bumper structure 31. Theopposite sides 39 and 39' are cured or rounded and face outwardly toengage the crane as it travels, for example, on an overhead track. Oneface 40 of the plate 38 has portions 41 attached to the remainder of thecrane bumper structure 31. Retaining means in the form of retainingclips 42 and 42' are attached to the opposite face 43 of the mountingmember 38 adjacent the lower portion thereof in a manner similar to thatshown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The bottom portion 34 and 34 of each bumper member 32 and 32',respectively, is held by the retaining clips 42 and 42' in the samemanner previously discussed in regard to FIGS. 1 and 2. The top portion33 and 33 of each individual bumper member 32 and 32, respectively, isheld by a single attaching clip 44 and 44' preferably U-shaped whenpositioned in the assemblies 30 and 30'. One leg 45 and 45 of the bore36 and 36' of each bumper member 32 and 32' and the other leg 46 and 46of the clips 44 and 44 is in engagement with the face 40 of the mountingmember 38. Although not of an absolute necessity, preferably the spanbetween the legs 45,45 and 46,46 of the clips 44 and 44', respectively,is such that snug engagement is provided between the leg 45,45 and theinterior surface of the bore 36,36 and between the leg 46,46 and themounting frame or plate 38.

Normally, for this application, at least two or a plurality of bumperassemblies are provided as a unit in abutting side-byside relationshipas shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The bumper units can be installed as part ofa crane stop or bumper at the ends of an overhead crane track as shownor be mounted directly on the ends of the crane structure itself. Itshould also be recognized that this type bumper unit may be mounteddirectly on a vehicle or vessel to achieve the desired results.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown forthe purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is 1. An improved bumper assembly for use on asubstantially unyieldable structure to absorb shock to which thestructure is subjected during moving contact with another structure,said assembly comprising:

A. a mounting member having at least a portion of a first face adaptedfor attachment to said structure and an opposed second face thereofhaving retaining means permanently fixed adjacent the bottom thereof;

B. an elongated resilient bumper member having:

1. a top portion containing a longitudinally extending bore therein, 2.a bottom portion resting against and supported by said retaining means,and a middle portion between the top and bottom portions with one sidethereof bearing against said second face of the mounting member, and theremaining portion extending outwardly from the mounting member to beengaged during the moving contact, with said mounting member being atleast coextensive with said bumper member; and

C. at least one separate attaching element spaced from said retainingmeans and having one a first section thereof extending downwardly intothe bore of said bumper member in engagement therewith; and

D. means holding a second section of said attaching element in removableengagement with and separable from said mounting member so as to securethe top portion of said bumper member, said attaching element and theretaining means thereby coacting to hold said bumper in place againstsaid mounting member, said attaching element being thereby completelyremovable from said mounting member permitting easy installation andremoval of said bumper member from the assembly.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attaching element isgenerally U-shaped clip with one leg thereof extending into the bore andthe other leg thereof in removable engagement with the mounting member.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bumper membercontains a longitudinally extending bore at each of the ends thereof andsaid retaining means is an angular retaining clip having one portionthereof extending upwardly into the bore at the bottom portion of saidbumper member.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said bumper memberincludes a substantially planar portion which rests against said secondface of the mounting member, two said attaching elements engaging thesurface of the bore, and the top of said second face of the mountingmember includes a tubular holding element attached thereto adjacent toeach side of the top portion of said bumper member, each said tubularholding element receiving the other section of each said attachingelement therein.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein said bumper memberincludes a substantially planar portion which rests against said secondface of the mounting member, and two said attaching elements engagingthe surface of the bore, and said holding means is a tubular elementpermanently attached to said second face of the mounting member adjacentto each side of the top portion of said bumper member, each said tubularelement receiving said second section of each said attaching elementtherein.

6. A bumper unit wherein a plurality of said bumper assemblies asclaimed in claim 1 are mounted in side-by-side relationship.

7. In a bumper assembly for a dock including the combination of:

A. a mounting member having one face thereof attached to the dock andthe opposite face thereof having an angular retaining clip permanentlyfixed to the bottom thereof; and

B. an elongated resilient bumper member having a longitudinal boretherethrough and having the bottom portion thereof supported by saidretaining clip, a portion of which extends upwardly into said bore withsaid mounting member being at least coextensive with said bumper member:the improvement comprising:

C. separate attaching elements spaced from said retaining clip havingone section thereof extending downwardly into the bore of said bumpermember in engagement therewith; and means holding another sectionthereof in removable engagement with and separable from said mountingmember so as to secure the top portion of said bumper member, saidattaching element and the retaining means thereby coacting to hold saidbumper member in place against said mounting member, and said attachingelement being completely separable and removable from said mountingmember to permit easy installation and removal of said bumper member inthe assembly without the necessity of bending or distorting said bumpermember.

8. A bumper assembly adapted for use as a crane bumper for an overheadcrane comprising:

A. a platelike mounting member having a portion of one face thereofattached to the crane bumper structure and the opposite face thereofhaving retaining means permanently affixed thereto adjacent the bottomthereof;

B. an elongated resilient bumper member having:

1. a top portion containing a longitudinally extending bore therein,

2. a bottom portion resting against and supported by the retainingmeans, and

3. a middle portion therebetween with one side thereof resting againstsaid opposite :face of the mounting member, and the remaining portionextending outwardly from the mounting member with said mounting memberbeing at least coextensive with said bumper member,

C. a separate attaching element spaced from said retaining means havinga first section thereof extending downwardly into the bore of saidbumper member in engagement therewith; and

D. means holding a second section thereof in removable engagement withand se arable from said mounting member so as to secure t e top portionof said bumper member, said attaching element and the retaining meanshereby coacting to hold said bumper member in place against saidmounting member, and said attaching element being completely separableand removable from said mounting member thereby permitting easy installation and removal of said bumper member in the assembly,

9. A bumper unit wherein a plurality of said bumper assemblies asclaimed in claim 8 are mounted in abutting sidebyside relationship.

10. The bumper assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said holding meansis a portion of one face of said mounting member which is attached tothe crane bumper structure and is in engagement with the second sectionof said attaching element.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,Dated September 28, 1971 Inventot(a William F C1111) It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 13, after "absorb" insert -the--.

Colunm 2, line 6, after "an" insert --improved--.

Column 3, line 63, after 30' insert "are employed as a unit to act as ashock absorbing crane stop or bumper 31 for an overhead crane. Eachbumper assembly 30 and Column line 12, after "the" insert --c1ips +4 and4 H respectively, extends downwardly into the--;

line 71, after "is" insert --a--.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of April 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDIIARD PLFLETCHER, JR. v ROBERT GO'I'TSCHALK Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents

1. An improved bumper assembly for use on a substantially unyieldablestructure to absorb shock to which the structure is subjected duringmoving contact with another structure, said assembly comprising: A. amounting member having at least a portion of a first face adapted forattachment to said structure and an opposed second face thereof havingretaining means permanently fixed adjacent the bottom thereof; B. anelongated resilient bumper member having:
 1. a top portion containing alongitudinally extending bore therein,
 2. a bottom portion restingagainst and supported by said retaining means, and
 3. a middle portionbetween the top and bottom portions with one side thereof bearingagainst said second face of the mounting member, and the remainingportion extending outwardly from the mounting member to be engagedduring the moving contact, with said mounting member being at leastcoextensive with said bumper member; and C. at least one separateattaching element spaced from said retaining means and having one afirst section thereof extending downwardly into the bore of said bumpermember in engagement therewith; and D. means holding a second section ofsaid attaching element in removable engagement with and separable fromsaid mounting member so as to secure the top portion of said bumpermember, said attaching element and the retaining means thereby coactingto hold said bumper in place against said mounting member, saidattaching element being thereby completely removable from said mountingmember permitting easy installation and removal of said bumper memberfrom the assembly.
 2. a bottom portion resting against and supported bythe retaining means, and
 2. a bottom portion resting against andsupported by said retaining means, and
 2. The assembly as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the attaching element is a generally U-shaped clip withone leg thereof extending into the bore and the other leg thereof inremovable engagement with the mounting member.
 3. a middle portiontherebetween with one side thereof resting against said opposite face ofthe mounting member, and the remaining portion extending outwardly fromthe mounting member with said mounting member being at least coextensivewith said bumper member, C. a separate attaching element spaced fromsaid retaining means having a first section thereof extending downwardlyinto the bore of said bumper member in engagement therewith; and D.means holding a second section thereof in removable engagement with andseparable from said mounting member so as to secure the top portion ofsaid bumper member, said attaching element and the retaining meansthereby coacting to hold said bumper member in place against saidmounting member, and said attaching element being completely separableand removable from said mounting member thereby permitting easyinstallation and removal of said bumper member in the assembly.
 3. amiddle portion between the top and bottom portions with one side thereofbearing against said second face of the mounting member, and theremaining portion extending outwardly from the mounting member to beengaged during the moving contact, with said mounting member being atleast coextensive with said bumper member; and C. at least one separateattaching element spaced from said retaining means and having one afirst section thereof extending downwardly into the bore of said bumpermember in engagement therewith; and D. means holding a second section ofsaid attaching element in removable engagement with and separable fromsaid mounting member so as to secure the top portion of said bumpermember, said attaching element and the retaining means thereby coactingto hold said bumper in place against said mounting member, saidattaching element being thereby completely removable from said mountingmember permitting easy installation and removal of said bumper memberfrom the assembly.
 3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidbumper member contains a longitudinally extending bore at each of theends thereof and said retaining means is an angular retaining cliphaving one portion thereof extending upwardly into the bore at thebottom portion of said bumper member.
 4. The assembly as claimed inclaim 3, wherein said bumper member includes a substantially planarportion which rests against said second face of the mounting member, twosaid attaching elements engaging the surface of the bore, and the top ofsaid second face of the mounting member includes a tubular holdingelement attached thereto adjacent to each side of the top portion ofsaid bumper member, each said tubular holding element receiving theother section of each said attaching element therein.
 5. The assembly asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said bumper member includes a substantiallyplanar portion which rests against said second face of the mountingmember, and two said attaching elements engaging the surface of thebore, and said holding means is a tubular element permanently attachedto said second face of the mounting member adjacent to each side of thetop portion of said bumper member, each said tubular element receivingsaid second section of each said attaching element therein.
 6. A bumperunit wherein a plurality of said bumper assemblies as claimed in claim 1are mounted in side-by-side relationship.
 7. In a bumper assembly for adock including the combination of: A. a mounting member having one facethereof attached to the dock and the opposite face thereof having anangular retaining clip permanently fixed to the bottom thereof; and B.an elongated resilient bumper member having a longitudinal boretherethrough and having the bottom portion thereof supported by saidretaining clip, a portion of which extends upwardly into said bore withsaid mounting member being at least coextensive with said bumper member:the improvement comprising: C. separate attaching elements spaced fromsaid retaining clip having one section thereof extending downwardly intothe bore of said bumper member in engagement therewith; and meansholding another section thereof in removable engagement with andseparable from said mounting member so as to secure the top portion ofsaid bumper member, said attaching element and the retaining meansthereby coacting to hold said bumper member in place against saidmounting member, and said attaching element being completely separableand removable from said mounting member to permit easy installation andremoval of said bumper member in the assembly without the necessity ofbending or distorting said bumper member.
 8. A bumper assembly adaptedfor use as a crane bumper for an overhead crane comprising: A. aplatelike mounting member having a portion of one face thereof attachedto the crane bumper structure and the opposite face thereof havingretaining means permanently affixed thereto adjacent the bottom thereof;B. an elongated resilient bumper member having:
 9. A bumper unit whereina plurality of said bumper assemblies as claimed in claim 8 are mountedin abutting side-by-side relationship.
 10. The bumper assembly asclaimed in claim 8 wherein said holding means is a portion of one faceof said mounting member which is attached to the crane bumper structureand is in engagement with the second section of said attaching element.